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Philippines faith leaders criticize Aquino administration

As president delivers final address to Congress, Church officials examine his track record
Philippines faith leaders criticize Aquino administration

Protesters clashed with police outside the Philippine Congress July 27 as President Benigno Aquino delivered his last State of the Nation Address before his term ends in 2016. (Photo by Vincent Go)

Published: July 27, 2015 11:40 AM GMT
Updated: July 27, 2015 01:02 AM GMT

A failure to tackle systemic corruption, support for “immoral” laws and an inability to lift the poor from poverty will taint Philippines President Benigno Aquino’s legacy as he prepares to leave office, some faith leaders in the Catholic-majority country say.

Aquino, whose term ends in 2016, defended his track record in his final “State of the Nation Address” as leader July 27. However, Church and other faith leaders were critical of elements of Aquino’s time in office.

“You know the problem of corruption has become cultural,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said July 27.

“It has become part of our cultural norms, behavior, so it will certainly take more than just polices.”

In a speech before Congress that lasted longer than two hours, Aquino blamed corruption allegedly committed by his predecessor, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

Corruption has been the root cause of the country's problems, Aquino said.

The president boasted about the achievements and reforms of his administration, citing the confidence shown by foreign and local investors in the country.

Aquino said he did not discriminate in providing government services and projects even among his critics and political enemies.

"Our only question: Is there a need?" the president said, citing his administration’s infrastructure projects.

Archbishop Villegas, however, said what he wanted to hear was whether “the poor are attended to and corruption is really … greatly diminished.”

“It calls for, from our moral point of view, a moral conversion. It cannot be just a change of laws or stricter laws because the problem of corruption is already systemic," he said.

Bishop Efraim Tendero, of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, said the president focused on the corruption of the past instead of looking to the situation today.

“We're glad that he addressed corruption in the past, but how about corruption in the present?" he said.

He said there have been “observable anti-corruption measures” under Aquino’s government, but “these are not enough.”

Other faith leaders expressed dissatisfaction with Aquino’s support for controversial policies such as the Reproductive Health Law. The law provides access to a range of reproductive health services, including contraceptives, but was widely criticized by Catholic bishops and other groups.

“The Catholic Church is very disappointed with his open support for immoral laws such as the [Reproductive Health Law]," said Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.

Bishop Bastes, however, said Aquino still deserves “some credit” for improving the economy, though he pointed out that the effect has not been inclusive for all.

Bishop Teodoro Bacani, former bishop of Novaliches, said the number of Filipinos who remain poor is proof of the Aquino administration's failure.

“The poor are not much better now,” he said.

As Aquino delivered his address, other groups also criticized parts of his track record. Human rights group Karapatan blames Aquino’s administration for overseeing conflicts that have resulted in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other abuses. Rights groups say these abuses often occur in areas where the military battles ongoing insurgencies, with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

Trade unions urged Aquino to deliver wage increases to private and public sector workers, who helped build the economy during his presidency.

“He has one year to go. The president must leave a legacy for the workers by giving back and making economic growth more inclusive,” said Alan Tanjusay, spokesman of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

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